The answer to the question “Is AI used in politics? is now out. On Sunday, former US President accused his November election opponent Kamala Harris of using AI campaign strategy to depicta huge crowd at Detroit AI rally. In a tweet, Trump noted that “There was nobody at the Plane, she A.I’d it and showed massive crowd of so called followers. BUT THEY DIDN’T EXIST…she’s a CHEATER. She had NOBODY waiting and the crowd looked like 10,000 people! Same thing is happening with her fake crowds at her speeches…”
Harris Campaign team has replied to these claims as false stating that “…an actual photo of a 15,000-person crowd for Harris-Walz in Michigan.” Well, a tour of seven battle ground states continue across the US as the judgement day draweth nearer every tickling second. The concern for experts is not even who says the truth but how AI campaign uses could trigger a distrust among citizens.
The curiosity in these final campaign laps for 2024 US Elections are comparable to that of Epimetheus when Zeus left him alone with the Pandora box and said “Do not open”. The same anxiety has made many people to resort to AI and ask the question “Who will win the 2024 US Elections between Trump and Harris?” AI isn’t hesitant on these figures, it already gave answers that leaves you wonder. In support of Harris, the AI predicted 52-44 percent win. But when it is Trump, the AI put the figures at 48-46.3 percent. We may not agree with these predictions but the overall picture is that the margin is grower smaller each day!
AI Campaign Strategies Are Not New!
Various countries across the globe struggle with AI art generator use in political campaigns. Attack ads created by AI are now dominating political campaigns after users featured Trump kissing and embracing Dr Fauci. AI generated art is used in political campaigns in the US, Canada, and New Zealand in the coming elections is showing positive results with risky prospects.
Earlier this month, AI caused a stir on Twitter after Ron Desantis’ campaign team featured Donald Trump kissing and embracing Dr Anthony Fauci. You must remember that the Former President in several instances dismissed Dr Fauci and other health experts’ views regarding the Covid-19 pandemic.
A closer look at the video posted on Twitter revealed that such moments were AI-generated. Nonetheless, the mission had been accomplished!
Similarly, the Republican National Committee (RNC) used AI to criticize President Joe Biden. This shows a turning point in which generative artificial intelligence is supporting the dissemination of unverified information.
Chicago runners-up also accused AI campaign users who successfully cloned his voice and created the impression that he was supporting police brutality. He reportedly lost elections on such grounds!
Artificial Intelligence in political Campaigns
In Canada, mayoral campaigns have seen an increase in the use of AI to generate political campaign photos and images. For instance, Anthony Furey generated fake dystopian pictures showing Canadians camped out of the downtown street and fabricated images with tens in a park. This is aligned with his campaign promise of clearing homeless encampments.
Well, these images are fake. However, political sycophants will believe AI campaigns even at gunpoint. They will vote against those who support police brutality and political candidates remain victims as in the case of Chicago. They may vote for Furey to clear homeless encampments which do not exist in reality.
How is AI Art Generator used in Political Campaigns?
The use of AI campaign in politics focuses on disinformation. Everyone can now be a political content creator and start seeking votes for a candidate. President Biden has announced his interest to run for reelection in 2024. Self-proclaimed campaigners will now use AI to sway voters. Darell West speaking on AI campaign uses in politics hinted at possible misuse of AI.
If someone can create noise, build uncertainty or develop false narratives, that could be an effective way to sway voters and win the race.
Any attempt to explain to users that the information they received will not cause any good compared to the damage. In the words of the Chief Executive of Reality Defender:
Explaining to millions of users that the content they already saw and shared was fake, well after the fact, is too little, too late.
The continued trend of using free AI campaign strategy to create political discontent raises the need for regulating generative AI. Currently, the debates on whether AI should be regulated are ongoing as people panic over the possible impacts in politics.
While political leaders move to put guardrails on AI, the damage it’s already causing in political campaigns is huge. Notably, some will lose and others will win not because they merit but because AI was made part of the deal.
